Posted by JohnL on November 5, 2000, at 7:55:39
In reply to Re: JohnL:Adrafinil:any liver or chest pain?, posted by Anna P. on November 3, 2000, at 9:36:04
> I'm just curious about Adrafinil in terms of liver toxicity and chest/heart pain.
> You see, I can't take stimulants, Wellbutrin, Parnate and this mild stimulant Amineptine.
>
> What are my chances?
>
> Anna P.
Anna,
I could be wrong but I would not expect any liver toxicity or chest pain with Adrafinil. In terms of chest pain, Adrafinil doesn't work the same way as other stimulants. I really think that classifying it as a stimulant is incorrect and misleading. It is more correctly in a class of its own that might be called arousal agents. For simple lack of another classification to put it into, they call it a psychostimulant. But it really isn't anything like psychostimulants in terms of mechanism, effects, tolerance, dependence, or withdrawal. It is not accompanied by increased blood pressure, increased blood flow, increased release of neurotransmitters, or anything else like that typical of stimulants. I think what it does more than anything else is wake up or excite norepinephrine receptors. If other stimulants cause chest pain, I would not expect that with Adrafinil. But of course, anything's possible. It's cheap enough and easy enough to try without any great loss if it doesn't work out.Liver toxicity as I understand it is dependent upon longterm use and primarily in the high dose range. I might get a liver test once every three months if I was taking four tabs a day. But at one or two tabs a day I think once every six months would be adequate. And even then it would probably be a waste of money. But it's the safe and responsible thing to do, not only with Adrafinil, but with any drug, especially if a combination of drugs is being used.
It's worth a try and I don't see any major risks. Probably the worst thing that could happen is it wouldn't work for you. I wouldn't be afraid of it though. It really is much milder than these other psychiatric drugs you and I normally deal with.
John
poster:JohnL
thread:47901
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20001102/msgs/48232.html